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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-3-5Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board March 5th, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Conference Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road Members present: Chuck Connors, Peter Brace, Wendy McCrae, Dr. Peter Boyce, Michael Glowacki. Members Absent: Doug Smith, Bill Blount Marine Dept: Sheila Lucey Public Safety: Chief Pittman Natural Resources Dept. Jeff Carlson, Tara Riley Others: Robert Capossela, Richard Corrado, Sarah Jacobs, Sophia Bass Werner, Matt Herr, Scott Leonard, Emma Macaire CALL TO ORDER 5:00 P.M. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Unanimously approved APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes for the February 19th HSAB meeting were amended by spelling corrections on the shellfish Blood Ark and Mussels plus the addition of Leah's last name (Cabral) was added. Unanimously approved as amended CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Shellfish Bylaw Review Workgroup update: Mr. Brace spoke to the board regarding the most recent SRBW meeting which was held on February 21". During that meeting they appointed officers and got themselves orientated to the format in which they will be following and how they'll be covering each species. Blue Mussels and possibly soft shelled clams will be addressed next meeting. The following officers have been appointed to the SRBW; Chairman will be Bill Blount, Doug Smith Vice Chairman and Peter Brace will be the Secretary. MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Scallop Season Update: Bushel count is 17,241, approximately 14 boats were seen scalloping today (March 5`h) They have stepped up enforcement efforts. Shellfish Warden Change — enforcement transition — Bill Pittman: Chief Pittman informed HSAB about some recent changes that took place on Monday (March 4'h) regarding the Marine Department and Natural Resources Department. There was a bit of restructuring done to the Departments regarding the division of each Departments responsibility's their employee's The Natural Resources Department will be responsible for Shellfish propagation, beach management (not including lifeguards), water quality, Aquaculture and fisheries management, they will also be responsible for working with the conservation commission, the article 67 fertilizer regulations and will now take on the role of shellfish enforcement. The marine department will be responsible for search and rescue, aids to navigation, the lifeguard program, town pier, mooring field and general water safety. Appointment of Natural Resources Enforcement Officer — JC Johnson (former assistant harbormaster) is the newly appointed Natural Resources Enforcement officer. He is now employed by the NRD rather then the MD and his duties are to be that of a shellfish warden. A meeting was held with the union to discus this change which ended with them signing off on the changes. The two qualified candidates for the job (JC Johnson and Dan Blount) both needed to be offered the position. Dan Blount didn't want the job and JC Johnson did, making it an easy negotiation for the union. Both Mr. Blount and Mr. Johnson will be keeping their current pay rates. Ms. Lucey and Mr. Blount will still have the authority of a shellfish constable although it will not be their primary responsibility. NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT Shellfish Management Plan -Tara Riley- On March 20`h the Final Draft of the Shellfish Management Plan (SMP) will be presented to the Board of Selectmen. It should be available in this weeks Inquirer & Mirror newspaper and the final draft is viewable online at the Natural Resources Town Webpage. Possible seed -heavy closure areas- discussion: Ms. Lucey spoke to Tara Riley about the possibility of closing areas heavy with seed to scallopers. Considering the forecasted weather and the short amount of time left in season it was agreed they will not be closing any areas. Ms. Lucey stated that they have tightened up enforcement to keep a watch for seed leaving the harbor. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MARINE DEPARTMENT / NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT No Public comment OLD BUSINESS No Old Business NEW BUSINESS Seal Abatement Coalition's resolution for BOS — Discussion: HSAB was given a letter written by SAC for us to review and hopefully give our support by writing a letter to the BOS. SAC would like our support for "objective science -based research" into the extent and environmental and economical implications of the gray seal population increase by appropriate government agencies and independent scientific research organization as appropriate and necessary. The letter from SAC explains the negative impacts that the ever growing seal population on Nantucket including Great Point and Muskeget has on fishermen, beachgoers, water quality and possibly on the shellfish habitat. A motion was made by Ms. McCrae to continue this till our next meeting, seconded by Dr. Boyce and unanimously approved. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENT Scott Leonard from the Nantucket Marine Mammal Conservation Program asked that we postpone making our recommendation until after May 20th. Mr. Leonard stated that on May 20th there will be a big discussion on this issue and we should be hearing both sides before supporting the letter by SAC. Mr. Leonard said that on May 20th there will be experts and scientist here to speak on the issue of water quality and great white sharks. He urged the board to wait until after that meeting to make our recommendation. RECAP and ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Seal Abatement Coalition resolution Possible Seed Moving ADJOURN Future Meetings: March 19th, April 2nd